Madeleine Hull
In 2015, PepsiCo replaced the artificial sweetener aspartame with sucralose in Diet Pepsi in the US. Aspartame has attracted negative health perceptions, and PepsiCo stated that the change was a response to consumers' evolving demands. The new formula was described as having a milder sweetness, with lighter carbonation, making it a good beginner soda for those who are deterred by the carbonation in other soft drinks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sweetener | Sucralose |
| Older Sweetener | Aspartame |
| Other Ingredients | Acesulfame Potassium, Carbonated Water, Caramel Color, Phosphoric Acid, Sodium Benzoate, Flavour (Natural), and Citric Acid |
| Calories | Low-calorie |
| Taste | Gentler, less aggressive, lighter carbonation |
| Health Concerns | Aspartame linked to neurological, metabolic effects, and cancer risk; Sucralose linked to diarrhea |
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What You'll Learn
PepsiCo's decision to replace aspartame with sucralose
Aspartame has been a subject of controversy due to negative health perceptions, with some consumers expressing concerns about its safety. While scientific studies and regulatory bodies have deemed aspartame safe for consumption, public perception has played a significant role in PepsiCo's decision. Seth Kaufman, SVP of PepsiCo North America Beverages, acknowledged that "decades of studies have shown that aspartame is safe, but the reality is that consumer demand in the U.S. has been evolving." The company recognized that diet cola drinkers in the U.S. were seeking an aspartame-free alternative, and they responded to this demand by replacing aspartame with sucralose.
The choice of sucralose as a replacement sweetener was influenced by its similar taste profile to aspartame, being 200 times sweeter than sugar, and its relatively less controversial reputation. Sucralose, also known as Splenda, has undergone extensive research and testing, with scientific and regulatory bodies confirming its safety for consumption. PepsiCo's decision to use sucralose is in line with the company's efforts to meet changing consumer preferences and provide a great-tasting cola option without aspartame.
The new formula, introduced in August 2015, was described as having a gentler and less aggressive flavor, with lighter carbonation. This change in taste and texture was well-received by those who consumed multiple cans per day, as well as those who preferred less carbonation in their beverages. The caffeine-free version of the new formula was also noted to be sweeter, bolder, and more reminiscent of the classic Pepsi taste.
Despite the initial positive reception of the new formula, in 2016, PepsiCo revived its aspartame formulation as "Diet Pepsi Classic Sweetener Blend" for the US market. This decision was made in response to feedback on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, where consumers expressed their preference for the original formula. From 2016 to 2018, both the aspartame and sucralose formulations of Diet Pepsi were available in the market. Finally, on February 25, 2018, PepsiCo reverted Diet Pepsi's sweetener from sucralose back to aspartame.
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The safety of aspartame
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that has been in use in the United States since the early 1980s. It is much sweeter than sugar, so less of it is required to achieve the same level of sweetness. Aspartame is used in many foods and beverages, as well as in some medicines, chewing gums, and toothpastes.
Aspartame has been the subject of controversy and concern due to its possible health risks, particularly its association with cancer. In 2020, PepsiCo announced that it would no longer use aspartame in Diet Pepsi, replacing it with sucralose. This decision was driven by consumer demand, as some people expressed concerns about the safety of aspartame.
The findings of these evaluations have been mixed. The IARC has classified aspartame as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), citing limited evidence for cancer in humans, specifically hepatocellular carcinoma (a type of liver cancer), as well as limited evidence in experimental animals and mechanistic studies. However, the JECFA and WHO have concluded that the evidence of an association between aspartame consumption and cancer in humans is not convincing, and that aspartame is safe for human consumption at current levels of exposure. The FDA and other regulatory agencies have also approved the use of aspartame, considering it safe when used under approved conditions and within acceptable daily intake (ADI) limits.
While the scientific consensus is that aspartame is safe for human consumption within established limits, some organizations, including the American Cancer Society, support ongoing research to refine the understanding of its potential health effects, particularly its association with cancer.
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Aspartame-free Diet Pepsi flavours
In 2020, PepsiCo announced that it would be replacing aspartame in its Diet Pepsi range with a blend of sucralose and acesulfame potassium. This decision was made in response to consumer demand for an aspartame-free version of the drink. The new formula was released in August of that year and was described as having a gentler and less aggressive flavour than the original aspartame version.
The caffeine-free version of Aspartame-free Diet Pepsi has been described as having a sweeter, bolder, and more Pepsi-like flavour compared to the regular version. The wild cherry flavour was also well-received, with the milder sweetness of the sucralose complementing the cherry flavour without becoming cloying.
Some people on social media have expressed confusion about whether Diet Pepsi contains aspartame or not. This is because, in 2015, PepsiCo temporarily replaced aspartame with sucralose in response to consumer feedback but then brought back the aspartame version in 2016 due to negative feedback about the new formula. The current formula, as of 2020, does not contain aspartame.
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The history of Diet Pepsi
Diet Pepsi, currently stylised as PEPSI DIET, is a low- or no-calorie beverage introduced in 1964 as a variant of Pepsi with no sugar. It was first test-marketed in 1963 under the name Patio Diet Cola and was rebranded as Diet Pepsi the following year, becoming the first diet cola to be distributed on a national scale in the United States.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Diet Pepsi's primary competition was The Coca-Cola Company's Tab. However, in 1982, The Coca-Cola Company introduced Diet Coke, which has since been the principal competing product. In the 1960s, when Diet Pepsi was first introduced, it derived its sugarless sweetness from the artificial sweetener saccharin, the choice ingredient of diet soda creators at the time. However, in the 1970s, animal studies linked saccharin with bladder cancer, sparking a public panic. As a result, in 1983, Diet Pepsi and other major brands shifted sweeteners, adopting the next-generation option, aspartame.
Aspartame has also been the subject of controversy, with critics expressing concerns about various health risks associated with its consumption. However, regulatory agencies in various countries, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.K. Food Standards Agency, have deemed it safe for human consumption. In 2012, Diet Pepsi changed its sweetener to sucralose ahead of a major rebranding in 2013. This change was short-lived, as some consumers expressed their distaste for the new formula on social media platforms in 2015. In response, Pepsi revived its aspartame formulation, releasing the "Diet Pepsi Classic Sweetener Blend" in the US in 2016, which was sold alongside the new formula.
In 2017, the packaging of the Classic Sweetener Blend dropped the old wordmark and began using the modernised wordmark. Finally, in 2018, PepsiCo announced plans to revert Diet Pepsi's sweetener from sucralose to aspartame, releasing the new formulation market-wide. Over the years, additional variations of Diet Pepsi have been introduced, with flavours such as wild cherry, vanilla, lemon, and lime added to the cola. A caffeine-free version is also produced, known as Pepsi Light Caffeine Free in Australia.
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Health concerns surrounding aspartame
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener widely used in various food and beverage products, including diet drinks, chewing gum, gelatin, ice cream, dairy products such as yoghurt, breakfast cereal, toothpaste, and medications. Aspartame has been the subject of health concerns and controversies over the years, with some people expressing their distaste for products containing it.
One of the primary health concerns surrounding aspartame is its potential link to cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified aspartame as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), citing limited evidence of carcinogenicity in humans and animals. However, the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) reaffirmed the acceptable daily intake of 40 mg/kg body weight and concluded that the evidence of an association between aspartame consumption and cancer in humans is not convincing. The American Cancer Society and other organisations have called for more research to refine the understanding of aspartame's potential health effects.
Another health concern related to aspartame is its impact on individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU). PKU is a rare genetic disorder where the body cannot break down phenylalanine, an amino acid found in aspartame. Products containing aspartame must carry the warning "PHENYLKETONURICS: CONTAINS PHENYLALANINE" to alert individuals with PKU.
Some studies have also suggested a possible link between aspartame and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), indicating that consumption of artificially sweetened items may increase inflammatory markers associated with a higher risk of diabetes. However, the relationship between non-nutritive sweeteners and T2DM risk remains unclear and is complicated by factors such as obesity or intestinal microflora.
The safety of aspartame remains controversial, and its long-term effects are difficult to predict. The widespread use of aspartame, especially in sugar-free products, has led to concerns about its impact on health. As a result, consumers have increasingly sought alternatives, and companies like PepsiCo have responded by introducing aspartame-free versions of their products, such as Diet Pepsi.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Diet Pepsi uses sucralose as a sweetener.
PepsiCo replaced aspartame with sucralose in 2015 due to consumer demand. Aspartame was deemed safe by scientific and regulatory bodies, but it had attracted negative health perceptions. Sucralose, while also facing some negative PR, was preferred by consumers.
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener commonly used in diet sodas as a low-calorie alternative to sugar. It is made from two amino acids found in many everyday foods.
Other drinks that use sucralose include Diet Coke with Splenda, Pepsi One, and Diet Rite.
